The United States men’s national is set to face bitter rival Mexico in a month’s time in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. With a litany of injuries to the team we felt that a potential USMNT starting XI vs Mexico was necessary.
Mexico and the U.S. faced off in a snooze fest with their B-teams in the Continental Clásico in April, but on June 15 the star players should be back on the field.
The USMNT will be without several key players including Tyler Adams, Tim Ream and Cameron Carter-Vickers who all suffered major injuries that ended their 2022-23 seasons.
Here’s a look at the potential USMNT starting XI vs Mexico. It’s worth noting that the 4-3-3 formation has been ditched for interim manager Anthony Hudson’s preferred 4-2-3-1.
Potential USMNT starting XI vs Mexico
Let’s go through each part of the field and explain the lineup.
Goalkeeper
Matt Turner isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Despite being Arsenal’s backup, he’s cemented his spot as the USMNT No. 1 goalkeeper.
Defense
Tim Ream and Cameron Carter-Vickers had the best club seasons out of any other American center backs. To see both out with injury — Ream with a broken arm and CCV getting surgery on his knee — is brutal.
Filling in the center back positions will be Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson. The two have been getting consistent playing time while McKenzie has had a standout season for Genk in Belgium. Arguments could be made for the likes of Auston Trusty, Walker Zimmerman or Chris Richards, but right now McKenzie and Robinson are the best choices.
Antonee Robinson is a no brainer for the left back position while Joe Scally edges out Sergiño Dest at right back. Scally has over 2,000 Bundesliga minutes under his belt this season while Dest has essentially been banished from AC Milan’s squad.
Midfield
Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah filled the two holding midfielder roles for the USMNT’s Concacaf Nations League game vs. El Salvador in March. The two players haven’t had remarkable club seasons as both of their teams, Leeds and Valencia, look like relegation candidates. With Adams recovering from hamstring surgery they will have to fill his defensive presence for the U.S.
Luca de la Torre will be a great option off the bench as he worked his way into Celta Vigo’s starting XI this season.
Forwards
Let’s first address the elephant in the room, Folarin Balogun. The 21-year-old has scored 19 goals for Reims this season and is likely to make his final decision on which country he will play for this summer. Balogun is expected to receive a June call-up from England and the United States. We will see who he chooses. If he goes with the Stars & Stripes, then he should start.
Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright would be the next best options at striker.
Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Tim Weah fill out the rest of the attacking front. While those names would excite any USMNT fan, they’re not exactly in the best form.
Pulisic hardly sees the field for Chelsea anymore and is seeking a transfer. Reyna has scored some clutch goals for Dortmund but can’t find his way into the club’s starting XI with a few minutes here and there. Meanwhile Weah has been playing right back for Lille.
